kjw83 Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 Is everything on the ships closed when in port? Or just certain ports and ships? I saw another thread that said all shops and entertainment would be closed while in port in Bermuda. We`re cruising on the Harmony in April, and saw for the spa that there was a discount for port days...now I`m confused Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 Ships shops and casino close in virtually all ports because a ship is subject to local laws while within the territorial waters of any given country. Some countries ban gambling while others require a gaming license, or the local casinos don't want the competition so it becomes unattractive for a ship to operate it's casino while in port. In some ports there are exceptions in the evenings when land casinos have closed for the day and only then may a ship operate it's casino while in port. To avoid having to pay local taxes and be subject to other retail laws the shops on board the ship will typically be closed while in port. Shops will typically have open hours when the ship is in international water only. Entertainment isn't 'closed' in port, but in many cases entertainment is scheduled by the ship for when all guests would be on board. Entertainment isn't typically subject to local laws in port, it just doesn't make sense to offer entertainment when guests won't be on board to enjoy it. Activities such as water slides, zip lines, flowriders, etc. will be open at certain times again reflecting that operating these activities when few guests are on board doesn't make sense so they tend to be open at specific times closer to when some guests are beginning to return to the ship such as mid-afternoon. Cruise compasses from past guests will give you an idea of what to expect in terms of when the shops and casino may be open or closed. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=1071 Nancymc, kjw83 and KasinoCrazy 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLMoran Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 Just to follow up with your specific question about the spa -- the ship's spa typically is open while in port, at least for a part of the day, and you can indeed get some good deals on spa services those days (but typically just during the morning hours, when most people have left the ship). The spa is run by a separate contractor who basically sets up shop on board, so I guess unlike Royal, that third-party provider has made the necessary arrangements for either payment of, or exemption from, any local taxes that the other venues on the ship close down to avoid dealing with. kjw83 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 The spa is open. It's just the casino and onboard retail shops that are closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chitown Traveler Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 Hey everyone I am new here. My question is, if buy the unlimited drink package can I still use it while the ship is at port or do I have to pay for my drinks while on the ship? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 1 minute ago, Chitown Traveler said: Hey everyone I am new here. My question is, if buy the unlimited drink package can I still use it while the ship is at port or do I have to pay for my drinks while on the ship? Yes, drink package works anytime you are on the ship, regardless of where the ship is docked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 Just now, Chitown Traveler said: Hey everyone I am new here. My question is, if buy the unlimited drink package can I still use it while the ship is at port or do I have to pay for my drinks while on the ship? Beverage packages onboard are not affected by being in port (except for some departure ports like Galveston having a more limited selection until the ship reaches international waters). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPS Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 2 minutes ago, Chitown Traveler said: if buy the unlimited drink package can I still use it while the ship is at port YES! You can also use the drink package at Royal's private destinations (Coco Cay, Bahamas & Labadee, Haiti) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chitown Traveler Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 Thank you for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 Bermuda allows the ship to open the casino in the evening though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boston Babe Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 33 minutes ago, Matt said: It's just the casino and onboard retail shops that are closed. Matt, if we're doing the Southeast/Bahamas cruise, will the casinos be closed until we get to Nassau or CocoCay, or will they open between Charleston/Port Canaveral/Miami? I imagine they don't go 12 miles out or do they? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 3 hours ago, Boston Babe said: I imagine they don't go 12 miles out or do they? I can't speak to the Florida itineraries, but Alaskan cruises through the Inside Passage have the casino open every evening. Boston Babe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted October 3, 2018 Report Share Posted October 3, 2018 32 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said: I can't speak to the Florida itineraries, but Alaskan cruises through the Inside Passage have the casino open every evening. Shops were open on Radiance going through the inside passage which is definitely within Canadian waters. I'm sure there is an exception made for this channel of water. 3 hours ago, Boston Babe said: Matt, if we're doing the Southeast/Bahamas cruise, will the casinos be closed until we get to Nassau or CocoCay, or will they open between Charleston/Port Canaveral/Miami? I imagine they don't go 12 miles out or do they? You may have noticed when you sailed out of Baltimore they remain closed while sailing down the Chesapeake - they can't open until they reach the 12 mile limit or reach of the U.S. sometime after or around midnight. When sailing from other East coast ports of the U.S. ships quickly reach the 12 mile limit and the shops/casinos open between U.S. ports of call such as Canaveral or Key West. Boston Babe and Matt 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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